Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-09-18
REMARKABLE ESCAPE.
ADVENTURE WITH WOLVES IN CANADIAN
WOODS.
Riding for Life With Ravenous fSeA
at His Heels-A Traveller Makes Good bis
Escape by Shrewd RuSs
IslriSrO,Cll Journal.

eTeO III IaBS bumOCiS, SPP"J
the guidance of an acknowledged leader
and attacked whatever came in their way
Not only sheep and small animals were
slaughtered, but horned cattle
horses, and even human being;
fell prey to these bloOdthirsty
scourges. The wolf is scarcely, if ever,
known to attack any creature except some
of the smaller specie, singly, as ne has eveI
been noted for his eowardice, but when
pressed by hunger and an available oppor'
tunity for securing good round meal Is
discovered by the leader OF the pack, he al
once begins to howl. This is understood
and answered by Others, until, in an In
credibly short time, they are all assem-
bled, when, under the guidance and at
well-known signal from the leader, the
frightful and Ominous war cry, known
as that of the chase, is sounded. Then
whatever happens 10 be the object
of pursuit is generally doomed
to destruction. The leader when he be-
comes feeble by reason of age or other dis
abilities, is generally vanquished in an
encounter with some younger and more
vigorous male and then set upon by the
entire pack and driven out to die alone.
The wolves sometimes seen singly or in
pairs in northern Maine are said to be
refugees from Northern Canada and per-
fectly harmless, as their defeat and exile
has rendered them so cowardly that no
danger need be feared, as they will never
attack anything larger than partridge or
rabbit.
In the autumn of the year 1882, near the
close of bright, sunny day, a traveller
alighted at little wayside inn situated on
the borders of one of those extensive Cana
dian forests, known as the Crown lands,
and called for a feed for his horse and q
lunch. He was apowerfully built man, Of
fine personal appearance, in the prime Of
life, and evidently one who had seen much
of the world. The horse he rode, whose
symmetrical form, finely shaped head and
lofty mien plainly indicated his careful
breeding, was uusaddled, neatly groOmed,
and placed in the stable. A frugal meal
of deer-steak, potatoes, buckwheat griddle
cakes and maple honey was soon placed on
the table, to which the hungry traveller
Immediately proceeded to do ample justice.
To this was added a tumbler and
small decantcr of whisky, as at that day a
drink of some kind of liquor, especially
among gentry and travellers at least, be-
fore each meal, was not only considered re-
spectacle, but almost indispensable. Oi
the latter, however, the guest declined to
partake, remarking that he had never yet
tasted liquor of any kind, and hadn't the
least desire to commence now. In reply to
heterogeneous he stated that he was agent
of a large publishing house in Philadelphia,
and bound to Quebec; that he must hasten
as he wished to pass the long woods that
night.
"Pass the woods tO-night?' exclaimed
the landlord in surprise. Indeed, you
must do no such thing. The woods are
filled with wolves, and they are uncom-
monty fierce. If you encounter pack, as
no doubt you will, your life must pay the
forfeit; so please stay where you are in
welcome, but ! beg you will not hazard
your life in this reckless manner"
The traveller, thinking his host over anx-
ious, and as he carried large sum OF
money, began to mistrust danger from an
other source. The more he pOndered, the
frmer became his conviction that mischief
was meant, and the story Of the wolves
one Of their invention TO suit the occasion
and their own wicked purpose. Further
more, knowing the moon 10 be near the
full and smooth road before him, besides
being well mounted, he anticipated moth
ing but pleasant ride.
D,llfr., hiS hnsN hoStu nnnlhua he
mOnnted his horse and was soon lost 10
sight in the distant forest. Nothing of in
terest occurred to disturb the mOnotOny OF
his Journey until several miles or perhaps
more than half the distance had been
passed, when he deserted dark object at
q short distance ahead, which he at first
took for some stray dog The creature
trotted along for some distance i'll a leis.
urely manner, occasionally casting back,
ward glance at the horse and rider, then
with sudden boEnd disappeared ip the
forest. But few moments interviewed
when ats short distance TO his right he
heard the prolonged bowls of wolf. This
was Immediately answered by another al
his left, and then another and another in
different directions, till the whole sur.
sounding forest seemed alive with them.
The horse, us Jnpugn appfelandin9 dan
ger, pricked up his ears and yuicEened his
pace, the bowls still continuing aud ap-
parently coming nearer each other, all in
his rear. The poor traveller heartily
wished be had needed the advice of his
landlord, which he now, alasg too lately
discovered was kindly given. Soon thai
friVhtfui anu o ilii"C%s cry known as thu
chase war whoOp sounded far and wide
tht ough The surrounding forest, enough t.
strike terror to the stoutest heart.
Casting a hasty glance to his rear hi
discovered the whole pack in full chase
The horse now began to run at the top o
his speed, but his master soon found hin
no match for these bloodthirsty wretches
encountered as he was with weight of a
least over 200 pounds. Drawing one o
his pistols as they neared him he fired {
random shot among the pack. A quick
short ytlp or kind of scream told that hi
shot had taken effect, causing a halt.
The entire pack pitched upon theil
wounded comrade, tearing him into shreds
and devouring him piecemeal. Meanwhile
our hero made the most of his time, cheer
ing his now frantic horse until he almost
seemed to fly. But this availed but little
as he was soon again overtaken. Thu
wolves, completely maddened by the tastt
of blood, now became more fierce than be
fore. He now fired his remaining pistol
which wounded another of their number
which was disposed of in the same manner
as the first. Could he have but main
/ tanned a running fight in this manner BY
reloading he could possibly have gained
the open country, but this was before tn,
days of revolvers, repeating rifles auC
baeech-loadOrs. Besides, in his agitation
thinking his pistols of no further use ate
being discharged, they were thrown ava.
as useless.
What to do was now a hard question
Both pistols gone, and wolves all arount
him, miles from the open country or an.
shelter or habitation. The noble beas
nov began to pant for breath, and as b
imagined, to falter in his gait. Tn
wolves were on either side of him, snap
ping at his legs and the TANKS of hi